Usain Bolt: Why Jamaican Star Is Under Most Pressure at 2012 Olympics

After his dominating performance during the 2008 Summer Olympics where he shattered the 100-meter and 200-meter world records, he is back for the 2012 Olympics as the most popular face of track and field today.

However, the only thing harder than dominating in one Olympics has to be doing it twice.

In 2008, Bolt collected three gold medals in of course the 100-meter, 200-meter and the 4x100-meter relay. He simply can't do better than that during this Olympiad because how could he do any better than gold?

Somehow, it almost seems like people are expecting that. In general, the public is expecting Bolt to come to London and dominate just like he did in Beijing.

On top of that, his preparation has not been without speed bumps.

For one thing, at the recently held Jamaican trials, Bolt was defeated in the 100-meter final and the 200-meter final by Yohan Blake. He did not try to make excuses about his loss, but he told BBC Sport:

"I think I'm a little bit weak, but three more weeks should be enough to get myself back into shape, so I'm just looking forward to that," said Bolt.

"I'm not far off and, knowing me, I can get it done."

"I've got to put in the work, got to figure out what I did wrong and just work on that."

Kirby Lee-US PRESSWIRE

Behind that confidence, you have to realize that there is immense pressure on this individual. Track and field stories rarely make mainstream media coverage, but when Bolt finished second in the trials, it seems as if everyone knew about it.

There's an old saying that goes when you are at the top, the only way you can go is down. For Bolt, everyone is waiting to see if that really happens.

We all know that sprinters have relatively short careers, but he has shown that he is one of the best, if not the best, in track and field history. He revolutionized the sport, and he will have immense pressure heaped upon him until he crosses the finish line.